By Sostenus Wilherm
Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi has laid out a comprehensive strategy aimed at transforming Namibia’s procurement systems and addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges.
Speaking to Confidente, Nekundi stressed that these reforms are not isolated interventions but part of a broader vision to ensure that national development benefits all Namibians.
He stated that government has tightened oversight to promote accountability and merit-based leadership.
“All board appointments at parastatals are governed by the Public Enterprises Governance Act of 2019, with vacancies publicly advertised and candidates screened and vetted for competence and integrity. The Ministry is also enforcing the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework (NEEEF) and procurement act to expand opportunities for blackowned businesses,” Nekundi said.
According to him, this approach is in- tended to eliminate a nontransparent appointment process and ensure that individuals entrusted with leadership responsibilities possess both the skills and ethical standards required to manage public resources effectively.
He added that, aligning procurement and governance with empowerment policies, government is seeking to correct historical inequalities that have excluded many Namibians from meaningful participation in the economy.
Nekundi further highlighted that the ministry is deliberately restructuring how infrastructure projects are awarded to create space for smaller players in the construction industry. He explained that the traditional model, which favoured large and established con- tractors, is being replaced with a more inclusive framework.
“Large construction projects are being unbundled to create space for SMEs, while joint ventures between established contractors and emerging firms are being promoted to support skills transfer. Local content requirements have been strengthened, with tender evaluations placing greater weight on the use of locally produced materials and local labour,” he mentioned.
He noted that unbundling projects allows small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access opportunities that were previously beyond their reach, thereby promoting entrepreneurship and job creation.
At the same time, joint ventures are designed to ensure that emerging firms gain the technical expertise and industry experience need- ed to compete effectively in the long term. This combination of access and capacity-building is expected to gradually trans- form the construction sector into a more competitive and inclusive space.
He is of the opinion that the strengthening of local content requirements is a de- liberate effort to ensure that infrastructure investment directly benefits the domestic economy. Prioritising locally produced materials and labour, government is not only supporting local industries but also maximising the economic impact of public spending. This policy is expected to stimulate growth across multiple sectors, from manufacturing to employment, while reducing dependence on imported goods and services.
Nekundi further acknowledged that Namibia continues to face a significant maintenance backlog, with many roads and pub- lic facilities requiring urgent attention. He said government is adopting a comprehensive approach to deal with the issue, combining increased funding with innovative financing and management strategies.
“The ministry is also addressing the infrastructure maintenance backlog through increased budget requests, public-private partnerships and African Development Bank support. Performance based maintenance contracts are being piloted, where contractors are paid based on long-term as- set condition rather than short-term fixes.”
He explained that the introduction of performance-based maintenance contracts marks a significant shift in how infrastructure is managed. Unlike traditional con- tracts, which often focus on short term repairs, this model incentivises contractors to deliver durable, high quality work that ensures infrastructure remains in good condition over time. This preventative approach is expected to reduce overall maintenance costs while improving the reliability and safety of roads and public facilities.
Nekundi added that partnerships with the private sector and international institutions such as the African Development Bank are essential in addressing funding gaps and bringing in technical expertise.
These collaborations are expected to accelerate infrastructure development while ensuring that projects meet modern standards of quality and sustainability.
